Welcome to StewardShip

Your free trial and membership will be finalized when you check out.

*Bordeaux Futures, Wine Clubs and Corporate Gifts are not eligible. Applies to standard shipping, which is quite speedy! Expedited shipping available at discounted rates for StewardShip members.Learn More

Winemaker's Notes

Taylor's finest and rarest wine, the very pinnacle of port. Only in a year when everything is perfect does Taylor's ‘declare' a vintage. With the company's reputation at stake, ‘declaring' is not taken lightly, since it invites a knowledgeable and worldwide audience to judge whether perfection has indeed been achieved. The ultimate collector's wines, Taylor's Vintage Ports will last for fifty years or more. They are renowned for their massive structure, concentration of flavor and distinctive ‘masculine' style. Bottled after two years in wood, they continue to mature for decades in the cellar, slowly attaining the sublime elegance and power which are the hallmarks of the Taylor's style. view vintage charts Taylor's Vintage Ports are classically served after lunch or dinner, in a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere when their powerful aromas and rich flavors can be fully appreciated and discussed. They can be enjoyed without food, but cheese is a fine accompaniment, as are nuts or dried fruits.

Taylor Fladgate Winery

Taylor's is now into its fourth century: one of the very oldest of the Port companies. It is the last totally independent company of the original British Port houses-and is still family owned and managed. It is run today from Oporto by descendants of the Yeatman and Fladgate families, both of which have been partners in the firm since the 1830s. For more than 300 years Taylor's name has been synonymous with consistent excellence in Port.
View all Taylor Fladgate Wines

About Portugal

The country best known for Port,
Madeira and corks is often overlooked when consumers think of red and white still
wines – but take note! The table wines of the region have improved dramatically in the past few decades. The
winemaking areas trickle down the country's narrow shape, bordered by the Atlantic on the west and Spain on the east.

Notable Facts
Furthest to the north lies the region Minho, which produces the slightly spritzy white wine, Vinho Verde. Translated,
it means green wine, not because the wine is green, but because it is meant to be drunk in its youth. Vinho Verde is a
light, refreshing wine, low in alcohol and with a slight spritz. It can be made with a number of grapes, but the best
whites are made with Alvarinho (yep, same as Spain's Albarino). Red Vinho Verde exists too, but not on the export market.
For other red table wines, the three most common regions are the Douro, Dao, Bairrada and Alentejo.

In the Douro, home of Port, red wines are made from a few grape varieties including the primary port grape, Touriga
Nacional as well as Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo). Still red wines from the area are good quality and contain fruity,
spicy notes. The Dao and Bairrida areas use Port grapes and the local tempranillo and make high quality, good value
red wines. Bairrida also makes a few sparklers. Alentejo is a super big and super hot region in the south of
Portugal making reds and whites.

About Portugal

The country best known for Port, Madeira and corks is often overlooked when consumers think of red and white still wines – but take note! The table wines of the region have improved dramatically in the past few decades. The winemaking areas trickle down the country's narrow shape, bordered by the Atlantic on the west and Spain on the east.

Notable Facts

Furthest to the north lies the region Minho, which produces the slightly spritzy white wine, Vinho Verde. Translated, it means green wine, not because the wine is green, but because it is meant to be drunk in its youth. Vinho Verde is a light, refreshing wine, low in alcohol and with a slight spritz. It can be made with a number of grapes, but the best whites are made with Alvarinho (same as Spain's Albarino). Red Vinho Verde exists too, but not much on the export market. For other red table wines, the three most common regions are the Douro, Dao, Bairrada and Alentejo.

In the Douro, home of Port, red wines are made from the primary port grape, Touriga Nacional, as well as Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo). Still red wines from the area are good quality and contain fruity, spicy notes. The Dao and Bairrida areas use Port grapes, as well as the local Tempranillo clone. They produce high quality, good value red wines. Bairrida also makes a few sparklers. Alentejo is a super big and super hot region in the south of Portugal making reds and whites.

Alcohol By Volume Guide

Most wine ranges from 10-16% alcohol by volume. Some varietals tend to have higher (for example Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon) or lower alcohol levels (Pinot Noir and many white varietals), but there is always some variation from producer to producer. Some wine falls outside of this range, for instance Port weighs in closer to 20%, while Muscat and Riesling are usually a bit below 10%.

Wine Style Guide

Light & Crisp

Light to medium bodied wines that are high in acid and light to medium fruit. Typically no oak.